Category: Down Syndrome

Jose Martinez connects science and policy as a BTP trainee

While working as a health care administrator in Santa Cruz, California during the 2015 Zika virus outbreak, Jose Martinez realized his background in chemistry and pharmacology could be harnessed to set policies that are grounded in science.

New $11 million award to study intellectual disability in Down syndrome

Waisman investigators Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD, an assistant professor of cell and regenerative biology and Su-Chun Zhang, MD, PhD, professor of neuroscience and neurology at the School of Medicine and Public Health at UW–Madison, were awarded an $11 million Transformative Research grant by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National …

Studying the connection between Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome for Down syndrome awareness month

By Emily Leclerc, Waisman Science Writer The month of October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and is dedicated to not only raising awareness about Down syndrome but also to celebrating the abilities and accomplishments of those with Down syndrome. While people with Down syndrome often live long and fruitful lives, the condition does come with …

Stem cell project to create new model to study brain development and Down syndrome

Waisman Center researchers are creating a new approach to study how changes to brain development in the womb result in intellectual disability in people with Down syndrome.

New NIH-funded initiative will examine Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome

A team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is part of a new multi-institution effort to better understand Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome. Adults with Down syndrome are at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease beginning in their late 40s, because of their unique biology. The vast majority will eventually develop the …

The ECHO effect

Project ECHO (the mantra for which is “All teach, all learn”) uses video-conferencing technology to provide education and case consultation on best practice clinical services, training, and resources for individuals with specific healthcare needs that are difficult to meet locally. The Waisman Center ECHO platform will serve as a diagnostic and treatment training hub to share the center’s expertise on intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, throughout the state and beyond.

Spurred by COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth becomes mainstream at Madison clinics, hospitals

“It was awesome. It saves us from having to take time off work and having to travel,” said Nicole Gantz, whose 8-year-old son Joshua has Down syndrome and an attention disorder. Nicole and Joshua visited with Maria Stanley, a developmental behavioral pediatrician in the Waisman Clinics, using telehealth – a remote and interactive way to administer healthcare services. The visit …

Navigating a brighter future for youth with disabilities and their families

Helping youth with disabilities pursue post-high school employment and education opportunities can mean piecing together services from a broad range of agencies and organizations. This can be a challenge for anyone, but for low-income families, day-to-day survival may create additional barriers to accessing services and supports needed to launch youth with disabilities into adult life. …

Mancheski Foundation funds next-gen research on Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s

A gift from the Mancheski Foundation continues to provide integral support to doctoral student Matthew Zammit as he furthers his research on the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Down syndrome. Zammit is beginning his fourth year as a doctoral student working in the laboratory of Bradley Christian, PhD, a Waisman investigator and professor …

In Wisconsin, 3 in 5 people with Down syndrome diagnosed with dementia by age 55

Not so many years ago, people with Down syndrome rarely survived to middle age. Many died young due to heart problems associated with the congenital condition. Today, advances in treatment have allowed them to live longer, healthier lives.